Low-Cost Kitchen Updates

Updating your kitchen doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. With less than $100, you can complete several projects over the course of a weekend to update and modernize your kitchen.

The easiest and cheapest way to achieve a new look is to paint. Updating your kitchen walls with a newer, more modern color can transform your room.

Keep in mind that paint isn’t just for walls. Are your cabinets looking tired? Paint those as well. The best way to paint cabinets is to remove them from the hinges and scrub the cabinet doors with a cleaning solution called TSP (trisodium phosphate). Before painting, make sure to rinse the cabinets well, and allow them to dry thoroughly.

After the cabinets have dried, use a wood filler to fill in any holes or scratch marks. Next, sand with a fine-grit sand paper. This will allow the paint to spread evenly and stick to the wood's surface better. Allow the first coat to fully dry before applying the second coat. Experts recommend applying two coats of paint to make the cabinets more durable and vibrant.

One tip for picking out paint is to choose a paint made specifically for use in kitchens and baths. These are formulated for damp areas. The cost of this project will only be the one or two gallons of paint you will need, the rollers and a bit of your time.

While you have the cabinet doors off, freshen up the look of the handles and hinges by either purchasing new ones or using a metallic spray paint on existing ones.

If you choose to use spray paint on the hardware, apply a clear coating after painting. This protects not only the handles from wear and tear but also you and your family's hands from paint residue.

You will be amazed at how new your cabinets look with painted doors and hardware! Even if your cabinets don’t need to be painted, updating just the hardware is an inexpensive way to liven up your kitchen.

Do you have tired-looking appliances? If your appliances work just fine but look outdated, paint can again be the answer!

Companies such as Dutch Boy and Rustoleum manufacture specialty epoxy paints designed for appliances. While you can likely get away with plain epoxy paint for your refrigerator, use heat-tolerant paint for your stove and oven.

All epoxy appliance paints come in spray cans, allowing you to apply a nice, even coat. Two 12-ounce cans can easily cover a refrigerator, with allowance for practice.

To paint an appliance, the first step is to clean the surface thoroughly. Next, do a light sanding to rough up the surface. If a metal appliance has rust on it, sand away all the rust. If rust is left on the appliance, it will eventually bleed through the paint. Once your appliance is clean and rust-free, simply follow the directions on your paint can to apply.

New countertops can be expensive to install. If you currently have laminate counter tops but don't like the way they look, purchase a thin sheet of laminate to glue down over the existing surface.

Laminate sheeting is available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Although this kitchen-improvement tip sounds expensive, the cost of the laminate sheeting is only a few dollars per square foot. Depending on the type of laminate and the size of your kitchen, you will likely be able to install it over a weekend.

If the existing surface of your counters isn’t damaged or loose, all you need to do is clean the surface and lightly sand before installation.

Next, measure and cut the laminate sheet to fit. You can cut it with a utility knife, a circular saw or a handsaw. Apply the adhesive to the countertop according to the directions. After the laminate sheet has been fit and glued, use a roller to smooth out any air bubbles.

To smooth the edges, use a routing tool, caulk the seams and replace the sink.

If your flooring is tired, consider vinyl tile. Vinyl tile is now available in an easy-to-install, peel-and-stick form. The tiles can vary in size, just as regular ceramic tile. Similarly, they can look like wood, ceramic tile or any natural stone. Costs will vary but can easily fall under $100 for an entire kitchen.

To install your new tile, after doing a dry run for fit, all you have to do is peel the paper off the tiles and press them down onto the floor. How easy is that?

For a tight seal, go over the tile with a heavy roller. This will ensure the tile is making complete contact with the floor.

Updating doesn't have to be expensive, and you can do much of the work yourself. Best of all, you can easily do at least two of the above projects in your house for under $100 total!